MEU's aviation element returns to New River

Monday

Dec 17, 2012 at 12:01 AMDec 17, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Hundreds of friends and family members attended the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced) homecoming on New River Monday morning. The squadron was returning home after a deployment with the 24th MEU in which they served as the MEU’s aviation combat element.

By AMANDA WILCOX - Daily News Staff

Sarah Conrad held her twin daughters close as she peered into the flightline horizon on Marine Corps Air Station New River Monday.

She was anxiously awaiting the return of her husband, Sgt. Timothy Conrad, who had been gone for the past nine months with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Sarah Conrad was one of hundreds of friends and family members at the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced) homecoming on New River Monday morning. The squadron was returning home after a deployment with the 24th MEU in which they served as the MEU’s aviation combat element.

More than 1,100 MEU Marines arrived home Sunday, with 198 aviation Marines arriving at New River Monday and the remaining 1,000 Marines and sailors of the 24th MEU expected to return home Tuesday.

The 24th MEU served throughout the U.S. European, Central and Africa commands where they participated in a number of exercises, theater security cooperation engagements and remained on alert to respond to a number of crises, according to information from 24th MEU officials. Its members were supposed to be home before Thanksgiving, but rising tensions in the Middle East and an unexpected extension in November left the Marines floating in the Mediterranean Sea for an unspecified amount of time.

“The extension was challenging for everybody,” said Lt. Col. Brian Smith, VMM 261 commanding officer. “We were all excited about coming home, but I know my family and all the families of the Marines — they know we have a job to do out there and we got nothing but support.

“We really appreciate that support.”

Smith’s parents, Brian and Linda Smith, said they were disappointed their son couldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving, but were thankful he made it for Christmas, a feeling shared by others at the homecoming.

“It’s the best Christmas present we could have asked for,” John Degrasse Sr., father of Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Degrasse Jr., said just before getting to see his son. “We’re excited to get our son back home and get the family together again. I can’t wait to tell him how proud I am.”

Thirty minutes later, John Degrasse Jr. stood in a formation with the rest of his squadron in front of cheering friends and family members, before being released and rushing into the arms of his wife, Sarah Degrasse and 8-year-old son, Hunter.

Hunter Degrasse was wearing a Marine Corps flight suit, just like the one his dad wears.

“I love it, I love the flight suit,” John Degrasse Jr. said with a smile after giving his family a long hug. “My plan is to spend as much time with this guy (Hunter) and my wife as possible. We’re gonna go out on the boat — I don’t care if it’s cold or not. We’re gonna go out and spend some time together, just the three of us.”

Lt. Col. Aaron Adams, executive officer of the 24th MEU, said that while the extension was difficult on all the families, he was glad they were able to get the Marines home before Christmas.

“Couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present,” he said.

Contact Daily News Military Reporter Amanda Wilcox at 910-219-8453 or amanda.wilcox@jdnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AWilcox21.